William Peter Ahnert Sr.

William Peter Ahnert Sr., 85, devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 8, 2026, in the arms of his beloved wife, Betty, surrounded by his loving family. Born on November 5, 1940, in East Stroudsburg, he was the son of the late Marian (Harrison) and Henry A. Ahnert Jr. of Bushkill. Peter recently celebrated his 61st wedding anniversary with his beloved wife, Elizabeth 'Betty' (Papson). Peter was a lifelong resident of Monroe County, Pennsylvania.

Peter was a graduate of East Stroudsburg High School Class of 1959. He earned a degree in Hotel and Resort Management from Paul Smith's College, NY. He also served in the U.S. Army.

Peter oversaw the management and growth of the Ahnert family business alongside of his father Henry 'Harry' Ahnert, Jr and his uncle Robert 'Bob' Ahnert. The family business originally started in his grandparent's home serving chicken dinners to travelers as they passed through Bushkill. The family business included H.A. Ahnert & Sons Machine and Tool, that produced machine parts and spark plugs for aircraft used by the US Military. Their business grew to become the Fernwood Hotel and later Resort and Country Club. Peter managed the Resort from 1964 to 1974. The family also owned and developed multiple businesses which included Saw Creek Estates, Magic Valley, Big Ridge, also known as, Country Club of the Poconos, Fairway Villas, Treetops and Greenhouse Time Sharing, Outdoor World Resorts, all trading under the collective name of Ahnert Enterprises where he served as President from 1974 to 1988. It was the largest business organization in the Poconos employing over 2,000 persons when it was sold to The Rank Organization of London, England in 1988. Peter continued to serve as President of Rank-Ahnert, Inc from 1988 to 1992.

With his children, he developed multiple Wendy's and Perkins Restaurant and Bakery locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York state. He developed Keystone Hollow Corporation, which included the construction of a Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course known as Great Bear Golf and Country Club.

Peter was a man of his community; he was a founder and chairman of Pocono Community Bank. He also served on the boards of Security Bank and Trust, First Keystone Bank, Mountain Laurel Center for the Performing Arts, East Stroudsburg University Foundation, Pocono Medical Center, Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, where he served as President, Paul Smith's College, YPO, Notre Dame High School of East Stroudsburg, and the Pennsylvania Land Developer's Association. Additionally, he was a former volunteer fireman for both Bushkill and Marshall's Creek Fire Departments and brother of the Knights of Columbus.

Although Peter was driven by hard work and success, nothing mattered more to him than his family. He cherished time spent together, especially the weekly dinners with his four children and their families. Peter created countless special memories through trips with family and friends, traveling for golf, fishing, skiing, and he also enjoyed traveling to cheer on his Clemson Tigers and the New York Yankees. Alongside Betty and their children, he delighted in family adventures across America and Europe. His bride, Betty, and his family were his proudest achievements and the greatest joy of his life.

He was presented with the Outstanding Leadership Award by the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame, was honored with the Humanitarian Award by St. John's Catholic Church Lay Apostolate Association, received the Thomas Cullen Memorial Award for Community Service from the Pocono Mountain Vacation Bureau, and was inducted into the East Stroudsburg Area School District's Meritorious Hall of Fame. He also proudly served as Grand Marshal of the Pocono Saint Patrick's Day Parade. He was a devout Catholic, a member of Saint John's Roman Catholic Church in Bushkill and also Saint Matthew's Roman Catholic Church in East Stroudsburg, and a former member at Key Largo Angler's Club, Northampton Country Club, Ocean Reef Club and Card Sound Golf Club.

Peter is survived by his devoted wife Elizabeth 'Betty' (Papson) Ahnert, their son, W. Peter Jr, and wife, Patricia (Schiavone), of Stroudsburg, daughter, Abigail, and her husband, William Downs, of Stroudsburg, daughter, Emily, and her husband, Brian McCauley, of Stroudsburg and son, Robert, and wife, Rachel (Farleigh), of Stroudsburg.

He was the cherished, Pop-Pop to his grandchildren: Nicholas Curran (Caitlin), Emma Curran Helmel (Johan), Brian McCauley, Jr., Emmett McCauley, Brody McCauley and great-grandchild, Luke Curran.

Peter was proceeded in death by his brother Henry A. Ahnert III. He is also survived by his two sisters, Helen Roberta 'Robin' Ahnert and Linda Masterson, as well as many loving, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to acknowledge the love, compassion, and dedicated care provided by Claion "Clay" Chang and Lori Morrison. We are forever grateful for the companionship, kindness and support they shared with him and our family.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, February 20, 2026 from 4:00PM to 6:30PM at William H. Clark Funeral Home, 1003 Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360.

Words of Remembrance will begin promptly at 9:50AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, February 21 ,2026 at 10:00AM at Saint Matthew's Catholic Church, 78 Ridgeway Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301. Internment with military honors will immediately follow at Laurelwood Cemetery, 901 Bryant St, Stroudsburg, PA 18360.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of W. Peter Ahnert to St. Matthew's Catholic Church, 78 Ridgeway St, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 (stmatthewspa.org), Bushkill Fire Company, 124 Evergreen Drive, Bushkill, PA 18324 (bfc24.org), or Marshall's Creek Fire Company, Post Office Box 1, Marshalls Creek, PA 18335 (mcfc29.com).